I’ve not commented too much on this but here is my take.
In terms of SL ‘are we ready’? Honestly, we are not in the ‘ideal’ situation given the issues with the ground and recent financial troubles. However when will we be ready? After 2021 the funding is likely to be slashed dramatically and who knows what effect COVID will have on the Championship and the game as a whole in 2021. Wouldn’t it be great if we could slowly nurture our homegrown players and gradually build up a team capable of winning promotion. Unfortunately the reality is that they are picked off by SL clubs before that can happen... see James Bentley/Storton etc for recent examples.
After 2021 all I see is the gradual decline in quality at Championship level and the gap between us and SL being even greater. So in many ways I don’t see us having a great deal to lose by applying and possibly getting the nod. The SL season will probably be disrupted again and they will likely scrap relegation part way through due to some issue with integrity of the competition etc. Yes we would get thrashed most weeks but with some additions we could probably be competitive with the lower 2 or 3 clubs. Personally I don’t see why what we have to lose as long as the spending is within our means and the funding received.
On the other hand I think next year’s championship has the potential to a great competition so I wouldn’t be disappointed to be watching that. I just worry where it will be from 2022 onwards..